NEW YORK – United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Jimmy McGoldrick said it is impossible to protect civilians in the event of ground attacks on Rafah due to unprecedented population density, especially since overcrowding in Rafah has reached a point where roads are clogged with tents set up by families searching for any available clean site.
According to the UN Media Cente Sunday, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said, scarcity of food, clean water, health services and sanitation facilities have all led to the spread of preventable diseases in Rafah due to tonnes of garbage and waste in the city located in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The UN official stressed the urgent need to bring in fuel, generators and spare parts to improve water provision.
He pointed out that the water desalination plant in southern Gaza operates only at up to 15% of its original capacity.
UN humanitarian partners estimate that about 100,000 families in Gaza need shelter support, including winter-weather tents and other supplies.
Since October 7, partners have distributed about 40,000 tents, mainly in Rafah, Khan Yunis and the central areas of the Strip.
Moreover, as many as 28,000 tents are scheduled to be distributed.